Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

I NEED TO GO BACK! Past Review

By (Spanish Language, Literature, Texas A&M University - College Station) - abroad from 01/19/2015 to 05/20/2015 with

USAC Costa Rica: Puntarenas - Spanish Language, Ecological, and Latin American Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
How to travel in a foreign country, language, friends, a tan, relaxation, excitement, what I want to do with my life. YES. I would do it over in a heartbeat. I get sad thinking about it. I wish I was starting all over this January!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The academic portion wasn't the hardest, but with any study abroad the learning comes in the streets. Puntarenas was perfectly located to allow for plenty of street learning.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I loved them! Susana is the best!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

If anyone goes they have to stay with Nidia. I still talk to my host brother. He's my brother for life now.

* Food:

Best food I've had in my life. Nidia started cooking dinner when I got up in the morning.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I loved the pure vida lifestyle. Although 'tico'(sort of like island time) time is catching up with me

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Amazing! Got a ride to the hospital in an ambulance when I cut myself on my bike. Everything cost $250, and I got that reimbursed!

* Safety:

For a large male that can take care of himself it is totally fine, but I would have to walk home girls at night. I know of several incidents. But it added to the experience!

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

It was fine. I gave it 4 because of how much I traveled and I had a girlfriend over there that I bought stuff for. Puntarenas was fine it was the other places I traveled to.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't furnish a girl's trip to an American Mall when she hasn't seen one in 4 months.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

Used it everyday with my family and every weekend traveling

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 202
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Try to make local friends. Avoid the gringos. I stayed with my fellow gringos too much

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Other
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • My host brother/mother
  • My Gringo lifelong friends
  • La Playa
* What could be improved?
  • NOTHING
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? You're going to make the best friends of your life.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.